m3l89's review against another edition
3.0
Another enjoyable, readable book from Darren Shan. I struggled a little with this one as it didn't seem as structured as other novels of Shan's, I think Larten wandering around aimlessly didn't help this so sometimes I got the impression this was a filler book where not a lot happened.
I thought it was interesting that you're never sure exactly how much time has passed, making time as irrelevant for the reader as it is for Larten himself. The only indicator of a time period I received was a very clever meeting with Bram Stoker.
I thought it was interesting that you're never sure exactly how much time has passed, making time as irrelevant for the reader as it is for Larten himself. The only indicator of a time period I received was a very clever meeting with Bram Stoker.
panic_at_the_bookshelf's review against another edition
5.0
It reads very fast and it's hard to put this book down. I remember how fantastic it was to read this book as a child and it was incredible to reread it.
prettydemonboy's review against another edition
4.0
Larten continues to be a favorite character of mine, and Shan captures his wandering and his lack of direction and purpose very well because throughout the entire book I kept waiting for something to happen and really, until the very end, nothing did. Larten spent his time just existing and it was really weird to read a book in which that happens, but I'm eager to get to the next book and see how Larten's journey continues. I really want to know how he ends up with the Cirque by the time Darren comes around.
fueledbyrobert's review against another edition
3.0
Better than the first one. It was fun to read more about Evanna, Vancha and Seba.
thereadingpal's review against another edition
4.0
Review on BookLover
In this second book, we see Larten and Wester staying with the Cubs, living life to the fullest before having to be part of the Clan and leave every human trait behind. We see Larten struggling with his life, a young Vampire who is not yet the Mr. Crepsley we met in the Cirque du Freak series.
And we see him trying to keep at bay his mixed blood, his evil and terrible side.
The reading slump got me right when I was reading this book, and it was hell because I REALLY love what I read so far by Darren Shan. I finally forced myself to continue, and I did not regret it.
I admit that the first few chapters were a bit slow, and nothing much happened action-wise. But it does get better from Part Two on.
In this book, we meet characters that are present in the Cirque du Freak series as their younger selves, and yet we see what they'll become and how.
I think the keyword of this book is "struggle", in particular Larten's. He's still young, still not sure of what he really wants, wandering like a lost puppy with a terrible temper. Really, he seems like such a different character than Darren's teacher. And yet, I found it quite interesting. The growth I saw and I expect in the next two books is immense, and I do not think I will be disappointed. It'll probably be sad, though. I'll get the tissues ready.
In this second installment, Larten meets characters we know from the Saga of Darren Shan, some for the first time. I'm speaking mostly about Evanna and Arra, and, well, Vancha.
I keep disliking Evanna, honestly. She's just... I don't know how to describe her. I can see there is some good in her, but, in this book, Evanna is even more strict and annoying than when I read of her in the Cirque du Freak!
What REALLY surprised me in this book was Arra! We never knew her backstory in the original series, and when she appeared for the first time I couldn't believe it. She's a long way from becoming the Vampiress I love and revere, and I really did not expect to meet her in those circumstances. I don't really know what to expect... Maybe a story similar to Larten's, maybe something different. But not what I was given. Not that it is bad, just unexpected.
And Vancha! Well... Apart from being a General and not a Prince, he's just his disgusting, handsome self. I love him so much and I am sorry for what the future has in store for him.
I do wish we knew more about Malora, even though her feelings for Larten were a bit.... meh. She was so young, how could she know that love truly is? How could she sacrifice her life to stay with and protect a man that clearly didn't see her in such a light? I'm sorry for how her story ended, it was gruesome and unfair, but her name in Italian is a bit telling, and even if I knew Darren Shan couldn't have thought of that, I expected her story to end badly.
Also, we get a baby. I suspect who he is because of some spoilers I got, and I cannot wait for him to be all grown up! Especially because he's, if spoilers are correct, my favourite character from the Cirque du Freak series.
In matters of style, the Saga of Larten Crepsley is written in a more "serious" and grown-up way, and it's clearly aimed at older readers. Even the language is at a higher level, and I think at least a B1 is required.
As a matter of fact, I'm overall liking this series a bit more than the Cirque du Freak books, and I can't wait to know what DesTiny (eheh) has in store for our young Vampire!
In this second book, we see Larten and Wester staying with the Cubs, living life to the fullest before having to be part of the Clan and leave every human trait behind. We see Larten struggling with his life, a young Vampire who is not yet the Mr. Crepsley we met in the Cirque du Freak series.
And we see him trying to keep at bay his mixed blood, his evil and terrible side.
The reading slump got me right when I was reading this book, and it was hell because I REALLY love what I read so far by Darren Shan. I finally forced myself to continue, and I did not regret it.
I admit that the first few chapters were a bit slow, and nothing much happened action-wise. But it does get better from Part Two on.
In this book, we meet characters that are present in the Cirque du Freak series as their younger selves, and yet we see what they'll become and how.
I think the keyword of this book is "struggle", in particular Larten's. He's still young, still not sure of what he really wants, wandering like a lost puppy with a terrible temper. Really, he seems like such a different character than Darren's teacher. And yet, I found it quite interesting. The growth I saw and I expect in the next two books is immense, and I do not think I will be disappointed. It'll probably be sad, though. I'll get the tissues ready.
In this second installment, Larten meets characters we know from the Saga of Darren Shan, some for the first time. I'm speaking mostly about Evanna and Arra, and, well, Vancha.
I keep disliking Evanna, honestly. She's just... I don't know how to describe her. I can see there is some good in her, but, in this book, Evanna is even more strict and annoying than when I read of her in the Cirque du Freak!
What REALLY surprised me in this book was Arra! We never knew her backstory in the original series, and when she appeared for the first time I couldn't believe it. She's a long way from becoming the Vampiress I love and revere, and I really did not expect to meet her in those circumstances. I don't really know what to expect... Maybe a story similar to Larten's, maybe something different. But not what I was given. Not that it is bad, just unexpected.
And Vancha! Well... Apart from being a General and not a Prince, he's just his disgusting, handsome self. I love him so much and I am sorry for what the future has in store for him.
I do wish we knew more about Malora, even though her feelings for Larten were a bit.... meh. She was so young, how could she know that love truly is? How could she sacrifice her life to stay with and protect a man that clearly didn't see her in such a light? I'm sorry for how her story ended, it was gruesome and unfair, but her name in Italian is a bit telling, and even if I knew Darren Shan couldn't have thought of that, I expected her story to end badly.
Also, we get a baby. I suspect who he is because of some spoilers I got, and I cannot wait for him to be all grown up! Especially because he's, if spoilers are correct, my favourite character from the Cirque du Freak series.
In matters of style, the Saga of Larten Crepsley is written in a more "serious" and grown-up way, and it's clearly aimed at older readers. Even the language is at a higher level, and I think at least a B1 is required.
As a matter of fact, I'm overall liking this series a bit more than the Cirque du Freak books, and I can't wait to know what DesTiny (eheh) has in store for our young Vampire!
jasmineshollow's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
jocauliflower's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
my second favourite of the series. i dont love the parts about the cubs, but very much enjoy the sections discussing evanna, vancha and paris skyle.